Cabinet Committees
John Key has announced the Cabinet Committees. Very pleased to see the Ministers from support parties are full members of appropriate Cabinet Committees. That’s a far more professional arrangement than the nonsense under Labour when the Foreign Minister wasn’t even a member of the Cabinet Foreign and Defence Committee.
So what are the committees:
Cabinet Strategy Committee – chaired by the PM, this determines the key strategic direction. The members are the nine front bench Ministers plus McCully and Joyce. The inclusion of Joyce is a good indicator of the influence he has, despite being a first term MP.
Cabinet Economic Growth and Infrastructure Committee – chaired by Finance Minister Bill English. 16 Ministers on it, so I suspect the real decisions will be made within a tighter circle. A bit surprised Rodney Hide is not a member as Regulatory Reform Minister.
Cabinet Social Policy Committee – chaired by Health Minister Tony Ryall and covers health, welfare and education.
Cabinet Domestic Policy Committee – chaired by Justice Minister Simon Power and covers law & order and state services.
Cabinet Committee on Treaty of Waitangi Negotiations – chaired by PM John Key as a mark of his commitment to progressing these.
Cabinet External Relations and Defence Committee – chaired by Foreign Minister Murray McCully
Cabinet Committee on Domestic and External Security Co-ordination – chaired by the PM and meets as required. It is rarely good news if it meets!
Cabinet Expenditure Control Committee – chaired by Finance Minister Bill English. A very small committee with just seven Ministers including Rodney Hide and Steven Joyce. They have a lot of work ahead!
Cabinet Legislation Committee – chaired by Leader of the House Gerry Brownlee. Works out the Government’s legislative agenda. Lots of lawyers on it.
Cabinet Appointments and Honours Committee – chaired by PM John Key. Heather Roy and Tariana Turia on the committee as well as 11 National Ministers.
Cabinet Business Committee – chaired by PM John Key. Seems to be an Executive Committee of Cabinet that can make decisions in between regular meetings. The nine frontbench Ministers only.